Good bye “Mudanda”; this photo shows the splendor of late Cow Tusker called “Mudanda” in late August 2017 (courtesy of Will Burrard-Lucas). This magnificent elephant was first recorded by Tsavo Trust / KWS Big Tusker Project on 7th December 2014. Since then Mudanda had been observed 77 times which equates to 1 sighting every 14 days over the last 3 years. She sadly succumbed to the recent drought and was found dead on 12th October 2017. Both tusks were recovered by joint KWS / Tsavo Trust ground team

Wildlife Conservation Program

Big Tusker Project - aerial and ground teams:

Tsavo Trust’s Big Tusker Project (BTP) recorded the following details in the BTP database:

Total of 10 different individual Tusker’s were observed from ground and air coverage.

4 bull Super Tuskers – 8 different sightings.

4 Emerging bull Tuskers – 15 sightings.

2 iconic cow Tuskers – 7 sightings.

Total sightings – 30

12/10/17: Cow Tusker called “Mudanda” found dead having died naturally from drought conditions. Both tusks were recovered by joint KWS / Tsavo Trust ground team. She first recorded by Tsavo Trust / KWS Big Tusker Project on 7th December 2014. Since then Mudanda has been observed 77 times which equates to 1 sighting every 14 days over the last 3 years.

Weather conditions: Exceedingly dry in most parts especially TENP and strong winds. Buildup of rain in last week of month.

- Elephant mortality: 43 carcasses located (42 fresh, 1 recent): High number of carcasses found due to the severe drought. 42 confirmed natural death and 1 poached outside of Park.

Table 1: Shows “Tusker” code, number of times observed during month and brief remarks.

Tusker Code

No. TimesSeen / Month

Remarks

BULLS

LU1

5

In good health but requents an unsafe area!

SL1

1

In worrying and unsafe location on the Park boundary!

IL1

1

In a worrying and unsafe location on the Park boundary!

WS1

1

In a worrying and unsage remote location outside the Park!

MA1

4

Normal location

KI1

6

Normal location

HA1

1

Moved big distances

MU1

4

In a worrying and unsafe location outside the Park!

COWS

F_DI1

5

Normal location

F_XT

2

Normal area

Total

8 bulls, 2 cows: 30 different sighings

Close working relationship between KWS and Tsavo Trust (aerial and ground units combined) is without doubt adding to elephant security and safety of the big Tuskers and other elephants within the TCA through meaningful collaboration alongside KWS Security and Research and Monitoring Departments.

This grizzly photo shows 2 elephant carcasses by Aruba bore hole in TENP having died in the recent drought.These were just 2 of the 18 found in this desolate area in October alone (nearly 50% of all carcasses located were found in this vicinity!

Areas Covered: Table 2: Shows the main areas covered within the TCA for this month:

The locations mentioned above is only an indicator of flight paths taken, many other areas in between are also covered and in so doing providing “eyes in the skies” over Tsavo and directional guidance to ground units.

All flight paths are logged and recorded with all relevant real time observations relayed to KWS on a daily basis for their records as well as necessary rapid reaction.

Field Mobile Units:

All Tsavo Trust's mobile field units work in support of KWS on a daily basis. Tembo 1 and 3 (inclduding Kamungi Scouts) teams are anti-poaching focused whilst Tembo 2 and Tembo 4 teams are monitoring and research dedicated.

Other Tsavo Trust Activities in Brief:

New Tsavo Trust HQ:Through generous funding support from the Oak Foundation, channeled through ZSL, and various other Tsavo Trust supporters, the Tsavo Trust’s new headquarters are finally complete. Work on this started in early 2017 and we moved in at the end of October 2017. This fantastic new facility gives a “face to Tsavo Trust” and provides ample office space, meeting area, operations room, strong room and storage to expand into. A vital step in Tsavo Trust’s continued development.

Completed new Tsavo Trust headquarters, 31st October 2017

Human Elephant Conflict (HEC) – Funding for a 5th elephant / bee fence has been received under the Elephant and Bees Project (pioneered by Lucy King and Save The Elephants). This new fence will be set up in October prior to the rainy season.

Community Conservancy Program: KAMUNGI CONSERVANCY

Partnership between Tsavo Trust and Kamungi Conservancy (bordering northern boundary of TENP – Triangle) continues to thrive in many ways; employment (35 permanent employees and an average of 15 casuals employees monthly, all from this community), HWC, water projects and much more. Tsavo Trust employs a Community Liaison Officer (CLO) to help coordinate activities:

Kamungi Water Project – Official opening date has been set for 4th November 2017, but the important thing is water is flowing and available. This project has taken 9 months to complete at a cost of US$ 70,000. Finally, the members of what is “Kamungi Conservancy” incorporating Ngiluni and Kamunyu villages have clean water on tap. Membership of Kamungi Conservancy now represents over 700 individuals and increasing.

Photo shows 2 happy Kamungi kiddies enjoying water on tap for the first time on 31st October 2017 at the water dispensing kiosk at Ngiluni village. A 100,000-litre water storage tank has also been constructed at this location and a half acre plot fenced off which will house a tree nursery before long.

Human Elephant Conflict (HEC) – With the start of the rainy season kicking in elephant crop raiders are expected to increase once crops mature. This will be a serious challenge for KWS and Tsavo Trust along the Kamungi Conservancy boundary with TENP. The Kamungi Scouts and their vehicle will be kept busy at night for sure.

Animal Welfare Program: LEOPARD RELEASE PROGRAM:

“Dotty” the female leopard is now 18 months old. She has been fully wild and fending for herself for over 2 months now. Her satellite collar is providing extraordinary information and has enabled us to track her with relative ease. A component that is so vital given that her release area is largely road-less and harsh terrain, making it very challenging to know her movements without such a collar. She has crossed the SGR and highway between TENP and TWNP and covered big distances, but always returns to her release boma. She has been camera trap photo’d here and looks in very good condition. A male leopard was also captured on camera trap on one of the same nights that Dotty visited so “something maybe in the air”.

“Sophie” is the second leopard under rehabilitation by Tsavo Trust. Approvals have been given to establish a release boma at an ideal location deep in TWNP. Materials for this have been purchased and construction will start in early November.

UNUSUAL PHOTO OF THE MONTH:

Photo shows a Sand-Boa – a common, but not often seen, resident snake in the Tsavo region. This one having just caught a gecko. The snake quickly disappeared underground once the gecko had been eaten whole.

Sand Boas (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei) are not poisonous and are constrictors.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (including all photographs) without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used only if permission has been given by the site owner, provided that full and clear credit is given to The Tsavo Trust and/or Richard Moller with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.